Academic Catalog

Grading System

Letter grades will be available on delaGATE at the end of each semester. Student achievement is measured by the student’s grade point average. The GPA is an indication of the quality of the work a student has done at the College.

Grades will be maintained in perpetuity.  Current and former students can request a record of their academic history by ordering an official transcript: www.dccc.edu/transcripts

Letter Grades Applied to GPA

The following letter grades are included in the computation of a student’s grade point average (GPA).

Letter Grades Meaning Grade Points Per Semester
A Excellent 4
B Above Average 3
C Average 2
D Below Average 1
F Failing 0
FA Failing for lack of attendance 0

Letter Grades Not Computed in GPA

Letter grades that do not count in computation of a student’s GPA:

Letter Grades Meaning Description
AU Audit The only grade given when a course is audited and carries no credit.
CR Credit Credit awarded for passing courses by assessment.
HP High Pass The student has completed the course requirements and has demonstrated excellence in meeting the course competencies.
IN Incomplete This grade is given when extenuating circumstances prevent the student from completing the coursework during the regular session. The incomplete work must be completed before the end of the next College session. Do not re-register for the class. “Incomplete” changes to “F” if not completed by the next semester.
IP In Progress Only students enrolled in individualized classes may receive the IP grade. Students receiving this grade have partially met course requirements in a satisfactory manner but must re-register and pay the tuition in order to complete the course. If the student does not register and successfully complete the course in the following semester, excluding summer sessions, the IP grade will change to an NP grade.
NP No Pass The student has not completed the course requirements and/or has not demonstrated proficiency in meeting course competencies.
NPA No Pass Lack of attendance.
NR No Record Grade not reported by instructor.
P Pass The student has completed the course requirements and has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the course competencies.
T Transfer The grade is given for a course that is transferred into the College.
W Withdraw The grade given to a student who is authorized to withdraw from a course during the authorized withdrawal period.

Grades in Developmental and Transitional Courses

Developmental and transitional courses will be awarded the following grades: HP, P, IP, NP, NPA, W, IN and CR. These grades do not count in the computation of a student’s GPA, Grade Point Average.

Instructors of transitional and developmental courses will define in their course syllabi the grading criteria that constitute an HP, P, NP or NPA.

Calculating Grade Point Average (GPA)

A student’s grade point average is calculated as follows:

  1. Determine the quality points earned in each course: multiply the number of points by the number of credits given for each course.
  2. Divide the sum of the grade points by the total number of graded or GPA credit hours.

The result is the grade point average.

Persons eligible to enroll in a course for credit may also enroll in that course as auditors, if they receive the approval of the appropriate dean. Auditors pay the regular tuition and fee charge applicable to the credit students. They are expected to attend all lecture and laboratory classes but are not required to take examinations or submit term papers. Students auditing a course will receive only the grade of “AU” and no credit. The Petition to Audit must be submitted prior to the end of the first week of class.

A returning student who has not attended Delaware County Community College for two consecutive years may request that “F” and/or “D” grades of courses taken prior to readmission be excluded from their grade point average. However, courses and grades will remain on their transcript.

  1. A student makes a request to the Office of Academic Affairs in writing for Academic Bankruptcy. This request must specify that the student does not expect any excluded grades to be used in any way toward fulfilling degree requirements.
  2. This request will be considered only after the returning student has completed at least 24 credits of graded course work with a grade point average of 2.7 or above. The College, in return for this declaration of academic bankruptcy, will exclude grades and courses as requested.

Federal Title IV guidelines require that all grades (course) applicable to a student’s major whenever taken be used in evaluating a student’s satisfactory academic progress for financial aid.